British Columbians urged to flick off lights for Earth Hour
A record number of Canadian communities will switch the lights off on March 26 for Earth Hour 2011, according to the organization behind the initiative.
More than 400 towns and cities across the country have confirmed they will take part this year, said Darcy Dobell, vice president of the World Wildlife Fund-Canada’s Pacific Region. That figure is up by around 100 from 2010, Dobell said.
“Seeing the numbers continue to grow year over year is for us a real sign that”¦public commitment to this issue and enthusiasm for action on this issue certainly is not going away,” she said.
Earth Hour 2011 takes place at 8:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, March 26.
“It’s a global show of support for action on climate change,” Dobell told the Straight by phone today (March 23).
In 2007, the WWF launched the initiative in Sydney, Australia, and the campaign spread to other countries the following year.
The international conservation organization says 131 countries have registered this year to participate.
According to the WWF, 60 percent of British Columbians participated in Earth Hour 2010.
For that year’s event, B.C. Hydro estimated there was a savings of 64.6 megawatt hours of electricity, roughly the amount of energy conserved from 1.4 million lights being flicked off.
“The participation during Earth Hour is great but we’d also like people to be thinking about things that they can do that will carry beyond the hour,” Dobell said.
She said that could mean turning off lights when they aren’t needed, using alternative forms of transportation like bicycles or public transit, and more.
In Vancouver, Dobell said there are a number of formal Earth Hour events planned, but she expects many people will mark the event privately as well. She said candlelight dinners have become a popular way to celebrate.
The City of Vancouver is also encouraging people to take part. Vancouver was recently ranked as the top Canadian municipality for its actions to address climate change.
Comments
6 Comments
VancouverDave
Mar 23, 2011 at 8:27pm
The idea, judging from the photo, is to turn off our clean electric lights and burn hydrocarbons for an hour to support clean air.
Why not go all out and light tire fires around the city?
Constance
Mar 24, 2011 at 9:05am
If clean candles are burned, ones that contain no wire in their wicks, then there is no problem at all. Great clean candles at IKEA.
Any way we all look better in candle light.
Loretta R
Mar 24, 2011 at 4:35pm
An enticing picture, likely selected to evoke warm community effort and an enjoyable time.
Is paraffin clean or safe? Try to find 100% veg oil, wax or all bees wax with non-metal wicks. If scented, look for natural scent, (not perfume/parfum).
Beware of deceptive labeling. Just because a little veg wax is added, does not mean it's non-toxic. Our labeling laws suck.
A good dual purpose time to think about power outage solutions and activities.
Theres a place on the WWF website to post your unique plans for the evening. Ontario appears to be full of them. Couldn't see any for BC.
Cheers
stop hitting yourself
Mar 24, 2011 at 11:36pm
Meanwhile corporate pillaging continues unabated.
The formula is psychological: The stress which is inflicted upon the plebeian from outside himself may actually intensify their will to resist”¦but stress which he feels he is inflicting upon himself is more likely to sap his resistance.
Hence, the need for the plebeian to maintain stress - in which the immediate source of stress is not the ”˜powers that be, but the subject himself. Once a confession is obtained, the pressures are lessened so that this “friendly handling” will induce further cooperation.
Its all your fault. Rational criticism is a sin.
Steve_W
Mar 25, 2011 at 7:06am
"Earth Hour" really is a nice idea, but does not change anything. Big coal burning power plants do not stop burning coal for one hour. To make a real difference we need "Earth Month". Shut coal burning power plants down for a month, and there will be a real reduction in greenhouse gases.
VanTryumf
Mar 25, 2011 at 11:17pm
The act is not intended solely upon saving energy but to demonstrate that as human being we can make choices that while slightly uncomfortable are performed for the greater whole.
Human beings are ultimately the problem, too many, too filthy and gluttonous.